Ramon Vazquez Could Be Traded Or Released

Infielder Ramon Vazquez is fighting to make the Pirates, reports Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Vazquez said he's been told he's not on the team right now, despite being guaranteed $2MM in 2010. GM Neal Huntington admitted he has to consider a trade of some sort, having six players for four bench spots.

A release is the least-desirable approach for the Pirates, since they'd still owe Vazquez's $2MM salary (less $400K if he joins another big league club). A trade makes more sense, with Kovacevic naming the Rangers and Orioles as possible matches. Vazquez, 33, hit .230/.335/.279 in 239 plate appearances last year while playing second base, shortstop, and third base. His poor performance may have been related to a knee injury.

Huntington's plan when signing Vazquez in December of '08 may have been to find a credible back-up middle infielder in case the team traded Freddy Sanchez and/or Jack Wilson. But you have to question his $4MM commitment to Vazquez, a journeyman platoon player who still didn't hit lefties in his career year '08 season.

I agree that Vazquez at 2 yrs/$4M was a bad signing. That said, remember at that time the Pirates were terrible with no hope whatsoever, and you probably had to overpay slightly to get anyone. And its not a crippling deal to the club…

I’ll also say if this turns out to be NH’s worst signing, I wouldn’t mind…

Rangers are in need of a backup infielder after Greene’s contract was voided, and I’m sure they like Ramon to some extent; he’s played there before. Pittsburgh would probably need to eat $1MM, but it’s better than paying the full thing.

He will get traded to Texas for a back up single A catcher. Moss doesn’t even belong in AA. I don’t know what the hell Neil Huntington was thinking when he made the Bay trade. They got virtually nothing for him unless Bryan Morris becomes a stud, and that’s not happening.

Rangers, O’s or Mets are viable candidates. All would fit considering the Roberts, Greene, and Reyes ailments. On the M’s, Wilson could possibility be on the DL opening day. The Royals are also have an issue with Gordon, but would LaRoche be better choice? With the glut of catchers, the Pirates can package Moss, Kratz, and Vazquez for a few pitching prospects. Endless opportunities.